LTVA uses interactive tools to help visitors plan their Lake Tahoe vacations

With an estimated three million visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin annually, there is a lot of vacation planning occurring, and the Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority has made it easier for those traveling to the South Shore.

Six months ago they launched "Explore Your Trip," a itinerary planning tool on their website that helps travelers plan their trip based on what they like to do, what their budget, what they like to each and many other categories.

"We launched in May and since then 12,000 people have planned their trip," said Tony Lyle, Director of Tourism for the LTVA.

There are six tabs users select from: trips for the nature lover, those that like luxury, adventure seekers, family fun, and first time visitors, as well as an option to choose a trip to South Lake Tahoe that you build yourself.

"All choices are completely random and there is no favoritism," said Lyle. "If businesses find they aren't showing up they can contact us and we'll get them added."

The trip planner is defaulted to the state line for a map and directions, but visitors can plug in the address of where they are staying and the planned trip will move the map to match the choice.

Another feature with "Explore Your Trip" is the option for local lodging properties. They can embed the trip planner on their website that will show visitors what to do around their hotel, motel, timeshare or vacation rental. Competing lodging property suggestions will be eliminated from that search.

Once on the site and planning a trip, the future visitors to South Lake Tahoe can email to friends and family, or save it and the final trip will become an app on their smartphone. They can also share on Facebook or Pinterest.

"In the future people will be able to plan from the app," said Lyle, but for now they get the feature of the trip they plan on their computer sent to an app.

He shares this new feature at travel trade shows around the world and its been very well accepted.

Besides trip planning, new features on the Tahoe South website are also for the local community. A tab leads viewers to webcams located around the south shore. Two of the webcams are owned by LTVA (on top of Harvey's and at Lakeview Commons) but site visitors can any of the others provided by Heavenly Mountain Resort, Sierra at Tahoe, Edgewood Tahoe and the Ridge Tahoe. These live views of South Lake Tahoe can be embedded in anyone's website, or high-definition still shots can be instantly downloaded.

"There are all free tools," added Lyle. "A live camera shot is very transparent and shows everyone what we really look like."

One more way locals can be involved with the vacation planning of others is to become a local expert. These locals provide tips for their perfect day in South Lake Tahoe, from bikers and skiers to foodies. Lyle said they provide "genuine advise" and offer much more that the Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews. Those wanting to become a local expert need to apply with the LTVA.

For more information, visit their website and tahoesouth.com, stop by their California side office located at 3066 Lake Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe across from Rojo's and Sno-Flake, or call at (530) 541-5255.